Wildfires spread across central Chile on 03 February, mainly affecting the region of Valparaíso. At least 3,000 homes were destroyed and the current was 123.
The forest fires broke out near densely populated areas, several blocks of homes and businesses were completely destroyed. Ash covered, burnt out cars lined the streets. Three shelters were set up in the Valparaiso region, where four hospitals and three nursing homes had to be evacuated.
The fires followed a recent heat wave that affected this region of South America, causing droughts and dry conditions in forests. When the fires started, El Niño weather patterns resulted in strong winds which caused the fires to spread. It is estimated that 43,000 hectares were burnt.
